Pest control device

ABSTRACT

An improved pest control device having a bottom, two side walls, two end walls with holes therethrough to permit an animal to enter, and a lid, with a bait holder inside the trap, which may optionally be raised off of the floor of the trap and magnets positioned near the top edge of at least two of the walls to secure the trap to a dumpster, thereby holding the lid in the closed position when the trap is secured to the dumpster to prevent access to the bait other than through the holes in the end walls.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of animal pest control devices such as traps and poison dispensers or bait stations.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a pest control device and a method for using same, in which the device is magnetically secured to dumpsters frequented by rats and other rodents. The pest control device comprises a box with a lid which opens to allow easy access to the inside of the device where the bait is placed, and a hole in at least one of the walls of the box to allow animals to enter the trap and consume the bait. The box also has at least one magnet near the top edge of a wall of the box, which can be used to adhere the trap to dumpster, such that the lid is trapped in the closed position when the device is magnetically attached to the dumpster, thereby holding the lid closed and preventing access to the bait other than through the hole or holes designed to allow animals to enter. These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reference to the following description and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the pest control device with the lid open.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the magnet.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional side view of the pest control device.

FIG. 3A is a detailed view of the cross section of the lip around the top edge of the bottom portion of the pest control device.

FIG. 3B is a detailed view of the cross section of the snapping portion of the lid.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the pest control device in the closed position.

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of a dumpster with the pest control device magnetically attached.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In one preferred embodiment, the pest control device 10 consists of a box with a bottom 12, two side walls 14, two end walls 16, and a lid 18. (FIG. 1.) At least one of the end walls 16, and preferably both end walls 16, have holes 20 therethrough, sized sufficiently for the entrance of the animals that the device 10 is intended to catch or attract. The pest control device 10 described herein may be provided in other shapes, for example, a triangle, a pentagon or other polygonal shape or a circular or elliptical shape, if desired.

On the bottom 12 of the device 10, a bait holder 22 is provided, to secure bait 13 in the pest control device 10. The term “bait” as used herein is intended to include poisonous bait. The bait holder 22 may preferably comprise, for example, spikes 24 extending upwardly from the bottom of the device 10, such that bait can be secured on the spikes 24. Additionally, the bait holder 22 may optionally be raised off of the bottom 12 on a platform 26, such that the bait is held above the bottom 12 and safely out of any liquid that may have a tendency to accumulate in the device 10. To further prevent the soaking of the bait in any liquid that may accumulate in the device 10, at least one drainage hole 28 may optionally be provided in the bottom 12 of the device 10. The lid 18 is preferably a hinged lid 18.

Magnet-receiving members 30, capable of receiving magnets 32 or otherwise allowing for the attachment of magnets 32 to the end walls, 16 are provided at the top edge of at least one pair of opposed end walls 16, preferably near the top of two opposing walls 16. In one embodiment, the magnets 32 may have shaped features, e.g. notches 34, which allow the magnets 32 to be mechanically held in place by a detent 36 in magnet receiving member 30. (FIGS. 1 and 2) The lid 18 is be shaped to provide cut away portions 19 over magnet retainers 30. This allows the magnets 32 to come into direct contact with the magnetic, metallic surface of a dumpster. When magnets 32 are inserted into the magnet-receiving portions 30, such magnets 32 operate to secure the pest control device 10 to a magnetic, metallic surface of a dumpster, typically the bottom.

Preferably, the dimensions of the device 10 are such that the bait for the desired animal can be held by the device 10, and the desired animal is able to enter into the device 10 and eat the bait. One example would be a device 10 that is intended for rats where the side walls 14 are about 12 inches long, the end walls are about 7.75 inches long, and the height of the side walls 14 and end walls 16 is about 3.5 inches. The holes 20 are also preferably sized to allow the animal for which the device 10 is designed to enter the device 10, and also to prevent the entry of children or other animals such as pets that the user desires to keep out of the device 10 and away from the bait. In the example of a rat trap, such holes 20 may be about 2.25 inches in diameter, which would allow the rat to enter, but would prevent larger animals and most children's hands from entering the pest control device 10. The dimensions of the device 10 described herein are not intended to be limiting, merely an example of one potential size configuration that can be used when rats are the animal that the device 10 is intended to attract or catch.

The lid 18 in the preferred embodiment allows for ready access to the bait holder 22 in the device 10 when the device 10 is not secured to a dumpster. However when the lid 18 is closed, and the device 10 is secured to a dumpster using the magnets 32, the lid 18 is trapped between the top edge of the walls 14, 16 and the magnetic surface of the dumpster, thereby holding the lid 18 closed, sealing the bait inside the device 10, and limiting access to the bait to animals that are sufficiently small that they are able to enter through the holes 20 in the side walls 14, 16, thereby limiting access to the bait to the intended targets of the pest control device 10. If a hinged lid 18 is present, the hinged lid 18 is rotatably connected to one of the walls 14 by a molded in place plastic hinge 28 along the top of the wall 14.

The lid 18 may optionally be secured in the closed position by the use of a snap-lock feature, a latching feature or a lock. (FIGS. 1 and 3). For example, the lid 18 and the walls 14, 16 may be provided with interlocking mechanical features, such as a protruding lip 38 on the top edge of the walls 14, 16 and a shaped edge 40 on the hinged lid 18 designed to “snap” over the protruding lip 38 of the walls 14, 16. (FIGS. 3, 3A, 3B). As another example, the device 10 may optionally be provided with a mechanical latching mechanism 42 on the lid 18 which is secured over a protruding lip 38 of the walls 14, 16, or with a mechanical latching mechanism 42 on the walls 14, 16 to be secured over the hinged lid 18. (FIG. 1) A latching mechanism 42 could also be modified to permit insertion of a padlock or other lock to keep the device 10 closed.

A hinged lid 18 is preferred in that it eliminates the potential for lost components of the device 10. However, a fully removable lid 18 could also be used.

The magnetic fastening of the pest control device 10 allows the trap to be securely but removably secured to dumpsters in locations where animal pests may be present. The ability to remove and reposition the trap 10, allows the device 10 to be easily emptied or re-filled, but prevents access to the device 10 by children or pets.

The bait holder 22 is preferably also designed to limit the access to the bait to animals who are inside the device 10, such as by locating the bait toward one side 14 of the device 10 not directly in line with the holes 20, thereby making it more difficult to reach the bait from outside the device 10.

To use the device 10 described herein, bait is loaded into the bait holder 22 through the top opening when the hinged lid 18 is opened. Once the device 10 is loaded with bait, the hinged lid 18 is closed, and then the device 10 is placed along the side or underside of a dumpster. Particularly, using the magnets 32 to secure the device 10 to the dumpster allows the dumpster to be moved and tipped and loaded and unloaded without disturbing the device 10 and without the need to reposition the device 10.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the pertinent arts that still other embodiments of pest control device 10 in accordance with the invention can be designed, and modifications and variations of the above-described illustrative embodiment of the invention may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the invention. 

1. A pest control device, comprising: a box with walls, a bottom and an open top with an openable lid for opening and closing said open top; at least one hole in one of said walls which is sized to allow an animal to enter the device; and at least one magnet, which is positioned at or near the top of said wall such that when said pest control device is attached to a magnetically active surface, said openable lid is held in the closed position between said box and said magnetically active surface.
 2. The device of claim 1 which includes two of said magnets, located on opposite walls of said device.
 3. The device of claim 2 in which said lid has openings which are positioned over said magnets when said lid is closed, whereby said magnets can make contact with a magnetically active surface.
 4. The device of claim 3 which includes a bait holder inside said box.
 5. The device of claim 4 in which said box includes two side walls and two end walls; said magnets being located on said end walls; said opening being located in one of said end walls, closer to one of said side walls than the other; said bait holder being located near the other of said side walls, whereby said bait holder is offset from said opening and not easily accessible, except to an animal entering the interior of said box.
 6. The device of claim 5 in which there are two of said openings, one in each of said opposite end walls, both located closer to said one side than the other.
 7. The device of claim 6 wherein said bait holder comprises at least one spike positioned on a platform which projects above the level of said bottom of said box.
 8. The pest control device of claim 7 wherein each magnet is positioned in a magnet receiving member on an end wall of said box.
 9. The pest control device of claim 8 wherein said openable lid is hinged to said box.
 10. The pest control device of claim 9 wherein one or more latches is provided to secure said lid in a closed position on said box.
 11. The pest control device of claim 10 wherein a drainage hole is provided in the bottom of said box to allow for the drainage of liquids from inside the box.
 12. The device of claim 1 in which said box includes two side walls and two end walls; there being two of said magnets, one located on each of said end walls; there being two of said openings, one being located in each of said end walls, closer to one of said side walls than the other; a bait holder in said box being located near the other of said side walls, whereby said bait holder is offset from said openings and not easily accessible, except to an animal entering the interior of said box.
 13. The device of claim 12 wherein said bait holder comprises at least one spike positioned on a platform which projects above the level of said bottom of said box.
 14. A method of trapping or eliminating animal pests, comprising: magnetically attaching a pest control device having at least one magnet to a dumpster.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the pest control device has an openable lid, and wherein the openable lid is trapped between the body of the pest control device and the magnetically surface when the pest control device is magnetically attached to said dumpster.
 16. The method of claim 14 in which the pest control device used comprises: a box with walls, a bottom and an open top with an openable lid for opening and closing said open top; at least one hole in one of said walls which is sized to allow an animal to enter the device; and at least one magnet, which is positioned at or near the top of said wall such that when said pest control device is attached to a magnetically active surface, said openable lid is held in the closed position between said box and said magnetically active surface.
 17. The method of claim 16 which includes two of said magnets, located on opposite walls of said device.
 18. The method of claim 17 in which said lid has openings which are positioned over said magnets when said lid is closed, whereby said magnets can make contact with a magnetically active surface.
 19. The method of claim 18 which includes a bait holder inside said box.
 20. The method of claim 14 in which the pest control device used comprises a box with two side walls and two end walls; magnets being located on said end walls; openings being located in each of said end walls, closer to one of said side walls than the other; a bait holder being located near the other of said side walls, whereby said bait holder is offset from said openings and not easily accessible, except to an animal entering the interior of said box.
 21. An animal trap, comprising: a box with at least three walls, a bottom and a removable lid; at least one hole which is sized to allow an animal to enter the trap; a bait retention mechanism; and at least one magnet receiving member, which is positioned such that when the at least one magnet is received by the magnet receiving member, the animal trap will be attachable to a magnetically active surface and the removable lid is held in the closed position between the box and the magnetically active surface.
 22. A pest control device, comprising: a box with walls, a bottom and a top; at least one hole in one of said walls which is sized to allow an animal to enter the device; and a bait holder inside said box, elevated above said bottom of said box, whereby bait placed thereon is kept dry.
 23. The device of claim 22 in which said box includes two side walls and two end walls; said opening being located in one of said end walls, closer to one of said side walls than the other; said bait holder being located near the other of said side walls, whereby said bait holder is offset from said opening and not easily accessible, except to an animal entering the interior of said box.
 24. The device of claim 23 in which there are two of said openings, one in each of said opposite end walls, both located closer to said one side than the other.
 25. The device of claim 24 wherein said bait holder comprises at least one spike positioned on a platform which projects above the level of said bottom of said box.
 26. The pest control device of claim 25 wherein a drainage hole is provided in the bottom of said box to allow for the drainage of liquids from inside the box.
 27. The device of claim 22 in which said box includes two side walls and two end walls; there being two of said openings, one being located in each of said end walls, closer to one of said side walls than the other; a bait holder in said box being located near the other of said side walls, whereby said bait holder is offset from said openings and not easily accessible, except to an animal entering the interior of said box; said bait holder is elevated above said bottom of said box, whereby bait placed thereon is kept dry.
 28. The device of claim 27 wherein said elevated bait holder comprises at least one spike positioned on a platform which projects above the level of said bottom of said box.
 29. A method of trapping or eliminating animal pests, comprising: providing a box with walls, a bottom and a top; at least one hole in one of said walls which is sized to allow an animal to enter the device; and a bait holder inside said box, elevated above said bottom of said box, whereby bait placed thereon is kept dry.
 30. The method of claim 29 in which the pest control device used comprises a box with two side walls and two end walls; openings being located in each of said end walls, closer to one of said side walls than the other; a bait holder being located near the other of said side walls, whereby said bait holder is offset from said openings and not easily accessible, except to an animal entering the interior of said box; said bait holder being elevated relative to said bottom, whereby bait placed thereon is kept dry.
 31. An animal trap, comprising: a box with at least three walls, a bottom and a removable lid; at least one hole which is sized to allow an animal to enter the trap; and a bait stand that is elevated from the bottom to keep the bait dry from any water that may enter through said holes. 